Discover Fascinating Finland Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Finland.
Finland
Background
๐ฐ Finland's Journey Through Time! ๐ฐ
Did you know that Finland has an exciting history? For many centuries, Finland was first a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden, starting from the 12th century all the way to the 19th century! After that, it became an autonomous grand duchy of Russia in 1809.
But wait, there's more! ๐ Finland celebrated its complete independence in 1917. Fast forward to more recent times, Finland joined the European Union (EU) in 1995 and became a member of NATO in April 2023. What a journey! ๐
Years under Sweden
700 years
Years as an autonomous grand duchy of Russia
114 years
Year of Independence
1917
Year Finland joined EU
1995
Year Finland joined NATO
2023
Exports - commodities
๐ Finland is known for its strong export economy, and it has some key players in its export commodities! In 2022, the country exported various materials that contribute to its wealth and growth. Hereโs a peek at what Finland sent out into the world:
- Paper ๐: A significant product, making Finland a leader in paper exports.
- Refined Petroleum โฝ: Vital for energy and transportation.
- Steel ๐๏ธ: Essential for construction and manufacturing.
- Wood Pulp ๐ฒ: Used for making paper and other products.
- Wood ๐ชต: A natural resource highly valued in various industries.
Each of these commodities helps Finland shine on the global stage! โจ
Exports - partners
Finland's exports are like a delicious pie ๐ฐ, with different countries taking slices of it! In 2022, here's how the exports broke down by partner countries:
- Germany ๐ป: 11%
- United States ๐บ๐ธ: 10%
- Sweden ๐ธ๐ช: 10%
- Netherlands ๐ณ๐ฑ: 7%
- China ๐จ๐ณ: 5%
Together, these countries make up a huge part of Finland's trading friendships! Let's take a closer look at how the percentages stack up in a fun pie chart! ๐
Total Export Partners
5
Finland's Export Partners (2022)
Capital
๐ซ๐ฎ The capital of Finland is Helsinki! ๐๏ธ This vibrant city is known for its beautiful waterfront, stunning architecture, and rich history. Whether you're exploring the bustling markets or relaxing in the parks, Helsinki offers something for everyone!
Imports - commodities
Finland's imports consist of various important commodities that help the country run smoothly! ๐๐ก Hereโs a fun look at what Finland brings in from other countries:
- Crude Petroleum: Essential for fuel! ๐
- Refined Petroleum: Another key component for energy and fuel consumption!
- Cars: Speedy vehicles that keep people moving! ๐
- Garments: This category includes clothes and textiles that keep Finns stylish! ๐๐
- Electricity: Powering homes and businesses! โก
These imports help Finland power its economy and maintain a high quality of life for its citizens!
Types of Commodities Imported
5
Climate
๐ก๏ธ Finland is known for its cold temperate climate! It's like a cozy winter wonderland all year long. ๐จ๏ธ The weather can get quite chilly, sometimes even subarctic, but don't worry! The North Atlantic Current, the peaceful Baltic Sea, and over 60,000 sparkling lakes make it comparatively mild. Who wouldn't want to explore such beautiful nature? ๐๐๏ธ
Executive branch
๐ซ๐ฎ Finland's Executive Branch
Finland has a strong leadership at its helm! The current chief of state is President Alexander STUBB, who has been in office since 1 March 2024. ๐๏ธ
On the other hand, the head of government is Prime Minister Petteri ORPO, who took office on 20 June 2023. This dynamic duo is steering the ship of Finland's politics and making important decisions for the country's future! ๐
Current President of Finland
Alexander STUBB
President's Start Date
1 March 2024
Current Prime Minister of Finland
Petteri ORPO
Prime Minister's Start Date
20 June 2023
Legislative branch
In Finland, the legislative branch is represented by a unicameral Parliament, which means there is only one chamber! ๐๏ธ This Parliament has a total of 200 seats where elected representatives gather to shape the laws and policies of the country. Isn't it great to know that all decisions are made in one place? ๐
Total seats in Parliament
200
Natural resources
๐ฒ Finland is rich in natural resources, making it a treasure trove for mining and forestry! Here are some of the valuable resources found in this stunning Nordic country:
- Timber: Abundant and sustainable, Finnish forests provide a lot of timber! ๐ชต
- Iron ore: Essential for steel production, and Finland has plenty! ๐ ๏ธ
- Copper: A key metal in technology and energy sectors! โก
- Lead: Used in batteries and construction! ๐๏ธ
- Zinc: Important for rust prevention on steel! โ๏ธ
- Chromite: The main source of chromium, used in stainless steel! ๐ฉ
- Nickel: A crucial component in alloys and batteries! ๐
- Gold: ๐ก Precious and highly valuable, used in jewelry and electronics!
- Silver: Another precious metal with various applications! ๐ฅ
- Limestone: A key ingredient in cement production! ๐ญ
Finland's diverse array of resources not only supports its economy but also highlights its beautiful and resource-rich landscapes! ๐โจ
Number of Natural Resources
10
Economic overview
๐ Finland is a high-income, export-based country in the EU and eurozone! It has some major industries like timber, metals, engineering, telecom, and electronics. Recently, Finland has been emerging from a recession caused by various challenges including inflation, weak consumer and export demand, and lower private investment. ๐ To make things better, there's a labor market reform plan in place to fix some structural rigidities. ๐
Economic Classification
High-income
Main Industries
Timber, Metals, Engineering, Telecom, Electronics
Government type
๐ Finland is known for its parliamentary republic! This means that the country has a system where the government is elected by the people, and the Parliament plays a big role in making decisions. Isn't that neat? ๐ณ๏ธ
Ethnic groups
Ethnic Diversity in Finland ๐ซ๐ฎ
Finland is home to a beautiful blend of ethnic groups! ๐ Here are the main groups that make up the racial tapestry of this Nordic country:
- Finnish
- Swedish
- Russian
- Estonian
- Romani
- Sami
These groups add richness to Finnish culture, language, and traditions. Each of these ethnicities brings its own unique flavor, making Finland a vibrant place to live! ๐
Ethnic Composition of Finland
Religions
In Finland, the makeup of religions is quite interesting! ๐ Here are the latest beliefs of the people:
- Lutheran: 66.6% ๐งโ๐คโ๐ง
- Greek Orthodox: 1.1% โ๏ธ
- Other: 1.7% ๐๏ธ
- None: 30.6% ๐ซ
These numbers tell us a lot about the spiritual life in Finland!
Total Percentage of Lutheran
66.6%
Total Percentage of Greek Orthodox
1.1%
Total Percentage of Other Religions
1.7%
Total Percentage of People with No Religion
30.6%
Religious Composition in Finland (2022)
Languages
In Finland, the people speak a variety of languages! ๐ The official languages are Finnish and Swedish, with Finnish being the most common. Here's how the languages break down in percentages:
- Finnish: 85.9% ๐
- Swedish: 5.2% ๐ธ๐ช
- Russian: 1.7% ๐ท๐บ
- Other languages: 7.2% ๐
This shows that Finnish is the dominant language, with a big majority of the population using it daily!
Total Percentage of Official Languages
91.1%
Percentage of Total Population Speaking Finnish
85.9%
Percentage of Population Speaking Swedish
5.2%
Percentage of Population Speaking Russian
1.7%
Percentage of Other Languages
7.2%
Languages Spoken in Finland
Imports - partners
Finland has a diverse range of trading partners for its imports! ๐ In 2022, the major players were:
- Sweden: 15% ๐ฆ
- Germany: 14% ๐ฉ๐ช
- China: 8% ๐จ๐ณ
- Norway: 7% ๐ณ๐ด
- Netherlands: 6% ๐ณ๐ฑ
These countries make up a significant portion of Finland's imports, reflecting strong economic ties and trade relationships! ๐
Top Import Partner
Sweden
Total percentage of top 5 partners
50%
Finland's Import Partners (2022)
Population
๐ Finland boasts a total population of 5,626,414 people! That's a lot of friendly faces in the land of a thousand lakes. Finland has a unique blend of nature, culture, and history, making it an exciting place to explore. From the enchanting Northern Lights to the modern capital of Helsinki, every Finn contributes to the vibrant tapestry of this country!
Total Population
5,626,414
Area
Finland is known for its breathtaking landscapes and vast areas! ๐ Its total area is 338,145 square kilometers. ๐บ๏ธ But have you ever wondered how much of that space is land versus water? ๐ค
Out of the total:
- Land: 303,815 square kilometers ๐ณ
- Water: 34,330 square kilometers ๐
That's a lot of beautiful Finnish scenery, mixing both land and water!
Total Area of Finland
338145 sq km
Total Land Area of Finland
303815 sq km
Total Water Area of Finland
34330 sq km
Finland's Area Distribution
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐ฐ Finland's Real GDP (adjusted for purchasing power) has shown some interesting trends in recent years! Hereโs a look at how it has changed:
- 2021: $320.209 billion
- 2022: $324.486 billion
- 2023: $321.126 billion
The numbers tell a story of growth and slight fluctuation. In 2022, Finland reached its highest Real GDP in this period but then saw a small dip in 2023. ๐ Let's visualize this data to get a better understanding! ๐
GDP in 2021
320.209 billion USD
GDP in 2022
324.486 billion USD
GDP in 2023
321.126 billion USD
Finland's Real GDP Over Years
Real GDP per capita
๐ฆ Finland is doing great when it comes to its economy! ๐ฐ The Real GDP per capita shows how much money every person in Finland could theoretically have if all the country's money was shared evenly. Here's how it looked over the last few years:
- 2021: $57,800
- 2022: $58,400
- 2023: $57,500
This data is important because it helps us understand how well people are doing financially in Finland. Let's look at how these numbers change over time! ๐
Estimated Real GDP per capita for 2023
$57,500
Estimated Real GDP per capita for 2022
$58,400
Estimated Real GDP per capita for 2021
$57,800
Real GDP per capita in Finland (2021-2023)
Imports
Finland is quite the global trader! ๐ In 2023, its imports were a whopping $124.221 billion. Let's take a look at how these figures have changed over the years:
- 2021: $116.72 billion
- 2022: $134.575 billion
- 2023: $124.221 billion
This shows us that imports increased from 2021 to 2022, but then decreased in 2023. ๐
Isn't it interesting to see how a country's imports can ebb and flow? This data helps us understand Finland's economy and its trading dynamics! ๐ก
Estimated Imports in 2023
$124.221 billion
Estimated Imports in 2022
$134.575 billion
Estimated Imports in 2021
$116.72 billion
Finland's Imports Over the Years
Exports
Finland is a country that's good at making things! In 2023, Finland's exports brought in a whopping $122.953 billion! ๐ Let's look at how this number has changed over the past few years:
- 2021: $116.762 billion
- 2022: $127.706 billion
- 2023: $122.953 billion
Isn't it interesting to see how the export numbers bounce around? From 2021 to 2022, they went up a lot! But then a little dip happened in 2023. ๐ Let's find out more!
Highest Exports Recorded
$127.706 billion (2022)
Exports in 2023
$122.953 billion
Exports in 2021
$116.762 billion
Finland's Exports Over the Years
Population growth rate
๐ Finland's population is expected to grow at a rate of 0.2% in 2024! This is a sign that the country continues to attract people and maintain its population. Let's keep an eye on how this growth trend evolves! ๐
Population growth rate for 2024
0.2%